Russian exports of stainless products fell 66 percent between January and July 2014

The latest data published by the Association of Consumers and Suppliers of Special Steels and Alloys (Spetsstal) shows that stainless steel exports from Russia fell significantly in the first seven months of this year.

Russian exports of stainless steel products were reported to be 4,839 tonnes, down 66 percent from exports during the corresponding seven-month period in 2013. Exports of these products amounted to 14,232 tons during January-July last year.

Exports of stainless steel billets decreased by 95 percent during seven months of this year to 475 tons. A 36 percent decline was seen in the export of stainless steel flat products. Exports of flat products during this period amounted to 751 tons. Export supplies of wire decreased by 82.2 percent to 16 tons, and seamless and electrically welded pipes by 13.0 percent to 924 tons and by 86.3 percent to 31 tons, respectively.

On the other hand, exports of stainless steel long products totaled 2,642 tonnes, up 6 percent from the previous year. Most of the export of high-quality stainless steel products was directed to Ukraine. The share of Ukrainian imports was 90 percent of the total and amounted to 2373 tons.

Meanwhile, the Spetsstal data also indicates that Russian imports of stainless steel products during the month of July this year increased by 10 percent compared to the previous month and amounted to 21,160 tons.